News Briefs:

Cartoonist to share 'childlike faith'with three parishes

STOUGHTON -- St. Ann Parish in Stoughton, Christ the King in McFarland, and Holy Mother of Consolation in Oregon are working together to host a Family Faith Formation
afternoon on Sunday, Jan. 15, to be held at St. Ann Church in Stoughton, 320 N. Harrison St.

The parishes have invited Catholic speaker, author, and cartoonist Jason Kotecki to present the program from 2 to 4 p.m., with a potluck supper to be held after the presentation.

Funny anecdotes, colorful artwork, and cartooning are featured in Kotecki's presentation that will inspire and encourage the young and old alike. All are welcome.

St. Vincent de Paul holds open house at newest Seton House

MADISON -- The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will hold an open house on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to mark completion of the fourth Madison home serving neighbors in need as part of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton House program. The Seton House program provides transitional housing for women and children coming out of homelessness.

"Seton IV" is a two-story flat acquired and thoroughly remodeled by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul with the help of community development block grant funding from the city of Madison. The two units of Seton IV will soon serve women and children in need.

Tours on January 14 will begin at the new Seton House office at 1301 Williamson St. (adjacent to the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store) and will proceed to nearby Seton IV. Call 608-819-1061 for more information.

St. James Parish plans 'Lord's Prayer' mission

MADISON -- "The Lord's Prayer" Parish Mission will be held at St. James Parish, 1204 St. James Court, from Sunday, Jan. 15, through Tuesday, Jan. 17, each evening from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The mission will be conducted by Dennis Mahaney of the St. John Eudes Center. The parish and school choirs will provide music.

The diverse parish and school community are welcoming Christian people of all faiths to join them in this mission. A condensed daytime session will be offered Monday, Jan. 16, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Children's Choir invites youth to join

SINSINAWA -- The Sinsinawa Mound Children's Choir is beginning its second semester on Monday, Jan. 9. The choir, under the direction of Sr. Marie Juan Maney, invites area boys and girls grades three and up to join in singing, music study, and performances for the upcoming year. The choir meets every Monday evening.

Choir enrollment is open to youth of all faiths. Scholarship funds, based on financial need, are available. For further information, call Sister Marie Juan at 608-748-4411, ext. 807.

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Diocesan Pastoral Council: Bishop Morlino meets with new body

By Mary C. Uhler
CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF

MADISON -- Bishop Robert C. Morlino held a get-acquainted dinner with the newly formed Diocesan Pastoral Council (DPC) on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at the Bishop O'Connor Catholic Pastoral Center.

Bishop Morlino explained that he is renewing the DPC in the Diocese of Madison. He asked Kevin Kelly of Sacred Hearts Parish in Sun Prairie to chair the council for the time-being. A constitution and by-laws will be developed, said the bishop.

He said the DPC will meet two or three times a year. Saturday seemed to be the preference for a meeting day among the new members.

Need to hear people

Bishop Morlino explained that the DPC is needed "so that the bishop can hear what faithful lay Christians are thinking."

He wants to make public the names of the members of the council "so people can tell you what they think," he said. "I need polling data and a real sense of the church."

Bishop Morlino said he had a "wonderful experience" with the Diocesan Pastoral Council in the Diocese of Helena, Mont. "I know the Holy Spirit will bless us here," he said.

Role of council

He explained that "the DPC is the sign of unity with God's people and the bishop." He said that the bishop also has other consultative bodies: priest Consultors, the Presbyteral Council, and the Diocesan Finance Council.

The DPC considers pastoral matters. "The pastoral priorities determine where the money is spent. The priorities are set by me in communication with you. The Finance Council tells me if we can afford it," noted Bishop Morlino.

He said a priority at this time is the future of the cathedral church. He asked the DPC to keep these things in mind:

"The cathedral is first and foremost a cathedral, a place from which the bishop teaches. The bishop is the glue from our diocesan church to the universal church. The cathedral is a privileged symbol of that ministry of gluing.

"It is highly desirable that the cathedral be an active parish community. It can't be seen as just another parish where the bishop shows up," he said.

He asked the council members to consider what the diocese and the city of Madison will be like in 50 to 100 years.

He emphasized that DPC members must listen to people but also must teach.

Holy Motherof Consolation:Celebrates 150 years

OREGON -- Beginning with a Mass to celebrate parishioner Anna Fox's 102nd birthday, Holy Mother of Consolation (HMC) in Oregon will begin a year of celebrating 150 years as a parish.

The sesquicentennial kick-off Mass will be held Sunday, Jan. 15, at 10:15 a.m.

History of the parish

It was at the Fox Family cabin that Masses were first celebrated, dating back to 1844. Twelve years later, in 1856, the first parish to serve the Oregon, Fitchburg, Dunn, and Rutland townships was founded, on two acres of land, which today lie in the City of Fitchburg. Fr. Hugh McMahon was appointed HMC's first pastor.

The parish grounds in Fitchburg included the church made of wood, the original parish cemetery (named St. Mary's), a house for the pastor, and a barn for the pastor's horse and buggy.

In the early 1880's the area's first post office came to Oregon, and Fr. Patrick B. Knox, pastor at HMC, made a controversial decision at the time to move the parish to Oregon. Five acres of land were purchased north of the village and a new church was built at a cost of $12,000. The yellow brick building with cross-topped tower was dedicated by Archbishop M. Heiss of Milwaukee on September 26, 1886.

In 1898, the parish purchased four acres of land for a new cemetery on the north end of the Village of Oregon and also named it St. Mary's. HMC remains proprietor of the original parish cemetery site in Fitchburg, which today is cleared of buildings. All that remains on the site are graves and grave markers from the first cemetery.

The 1886 church building served the faithful until a March 14, 1961 fire burned the structure to the ground. A new church was dedicated by Bishop William P. O'Connor on September 16, 1962.

Remodeling, growing

An extensive remodeling of the church took place in 1995 adding a chapel, a large gathering area, office space, classrooms, elevator, and air conditioning. Bishop William H. Bullock presided at the Dedication Liturgy in February of 1996.

HMC has doubled in size since 1975, now the place of worship for over 1,300 households. Fr. Tony Schumacher, pastor for 27 years, guided HMC through the many changes which occurred following Vatican II. He retired in 2002. He was replaced by current pastor Fr. Bill Connell.

Watch the Catholic Herald in the coming months for more information about Holy Mother of Consolation's Sesquicentennial.